Bourne Society Pub & Brewery History Group

Visit to the Greyhound, Carshalton Ponds - June 5, 2004

Address: 2 High Street, Carshalton Tel: 020 8647 1511

The Greyhound has been a hotel for about a century, when the original public house overlooking the Ponds was enlarged. The most recent hotel extension was added in Summer 2000. In the 1905 Kelly’s Directory we find the first mention of the place under the hotels section. Now a Young’s establishment, the Greyhound serves the range of Young’s beers from the Special to Winter Warmer and St George’s Ale in the season and Waggle Dance in the summer months. The Greyhound was CAMRA Sutton pub of the year in 2001 and in 2004, and has an extensive bar food menu.

A pub has stood on this site from the early eighteenth century, although the larger part of the building dates from about the 1840's. Kelly’s Directory shows a John Richens at the Greyhound in 1871, followed by Emma Margetson (from the 1881 census, details below), then Alfred Verdon in 1887. George Thomas Watkinson was here in 1905, followed by Harry Ward as hotel keeper by then. Samuel Carter had taken over by 1922, followed by Robert Hillman who’s entry was found in the 1934 and 1938 directories.

There are two bars at the Greyhound; The Swan Bar in the old part on the left and one in the 'newer' building. The public bar is comfortable and well furnished, and has a darts room. The lounge, in the older part, is dark wood panelled and quaintly old-fashioned.

The Greyhound has “historical connections with horse racing, as well as blood sports, such as coursing and cock-fighting, which were popular in the eighteenth century”. What, no mention of Greyhound racing?!
Carshalton was once a village in the rolling Surrey countryside but is now part of Greater London. Locally it is known for its ponds which create a picturesque setting. Many of the village's historic buildings have survived and there is a heritage centre next to the ponds.

CAMRA Presentation May 2004

At the other end of the Pond are two adjacent pubs, these are (i) the Coach & Horses, another small one room pub with (usually) Bass and London Pride available; and (ii) the Woodman, a former butcher's shop, with at present, Young's, and Charles Wells on draught. The larger Windsor Castle used to be a real ale mecca, but neither the quality nor the range is as it was. Hancocks and London Pride are pretty much regulars; the others are microbrewery guest ales.

The Greyhound is near to the ancient parish church of All Saints. The tower is the oldest part of our present building and it bears all the signs of having been there before the Norman Conquest. What lies to the east and the west of it (the present Lady chapel and south aisle) is not on the same exact orientation as the tower. From this, it is reasonable to deduce that what we see there now is not what was there originally. An ancient window, visible only from within the present ringing chamber, is on the north face and the splay beneath it suggests that that the tower up to that point is probably XI century and possibly earlier. Further details can be found at:

http://www.carshaltonallsaints.org.uk/section/29

Acknowledgements

http://www.picturesofengland.com/Greyhound-Hotel/pictures-1.htm

http://www.croydoncamra.org.uk/news.asp

1881 Census: Dwelling:High Street Greyhound Hotel

Census Place: Carshalton, Surrey, England

Source: FHL Film 1341177 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 0756 Folio 100 Page 58

Marr Age Sex Birthplace

Emma MARGETSON M 51 F Shoreditch

Rel: Wife Head

Occ: Hotel Keeper

Mary A. BUSTON U 43 F Soho St Anns

Rel: Servant

Occ: Servant Of Hotel Keeper

Caroline COOK U 29 F Ditton, Berkshire, England

Rel: Servant

Occ: Servant Of Hotel Keeper

Fanney HERSEY U 21 F Buckland, Hertford, England

Rel: Servant

Occ: Servant Of Hotel Keeper

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